Govt taking steps to develop South Punjab: PM

ISLAMABAD - Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has said that the government of PML-N is taking steps for the development of south Punjab and increased funds are being provided to bring the area at par with better developed parts of the country.He was talking to a group of PML-N MNAs from south Punjab, which called on him at the PM House here on Wednesday.He asked the MNAs to present a comprehensive development programme for south Punjab encompassing all sectors.The prime minister said the government brought about considerable reduction in petroleum prices which resulted in reduction in the prices of everyday use commodities.The government wanted to reduce the price of agricultural inputs to provide relief to the farming community, he said.The prime minister asked the Parliamentarians to work on strengthening the party at the grassroots level in their respective constituencies.He sought suggestions from the MNAs about improving governance and providing better facilities to the people especially in the health and education sectors. All possible steps would be taken wherever there is room for improvement, he said.The Prime Minister said strict action would be taken against the officials involved in corruption and inefficiency at any level in bureaucracy.He also said that the civil service structure in the country has deteriorated to an alarming extent and the government is working on civil service reforms on priority basis to bring about improvement in its working.The MNAs apprised the Prime Minister of matters relating to their areas especially those relating to development. Party matters in these areas also came under discussion.They appreciated the government for undertaking operation against miscreants and terrorists in Karachi and expressed the hope that this will lead to lasting peace in the metropolitan city.The MNAs included Mian Riaz Hussain Pirzada, Minister for IPC; Sardar Muhammad Amjad Farooq Khan; Sardar Awais Ahmed Khan Leghari; Syed Muhammad Asghar; Alam Dad Laleka; Shaikh Fayyazuddin; Chaudhry Nazeer Ahmed; Saeed Ahmed Khan Manais; Tahir Iqbal Chaudhry and Aslam Bodla.Political Secretary to PM, Dr. Asif Kirmani was also present during the meeting.